Strive

5The Secret Things

Luck? I don't know anything about luck. I've never banked on it and I'm afraid of people who do.

—Lucille Ball, American actress and comedian

The Idea That Successful People Have Hidden Advantages Is a Lie

After completing graduate school, I landed a job at Prudential as part of a new elite business unit. There was a team‐building/training exercise where the new hires were sent off for the week to Princeton, New Jersey, to compete in a multiday, gameshow‐like setting. Teams would answer questions by being the first to slam a buzzer. Since these new employees were the brightest of the bright, there were few wrong answers given. Toward the end of the competition, my team was in last place. The next day, I would be up at the buzzer representing my team. I was ready. Before the final syllable of the first question died on the host's lips, I slammed the buzzer. Point. The second question was met with the same treatment. Point. On and on, the questions rolled, and I racked up point after point for my team. By the end of the competition, not only had I answered every single question correctly, but I moved my team from last place into first. Everyone on my team left with a trophy.

Lucky in Life?

You might be thinking that I am quite full of myself by sharing this story. After all, maybe it was just good luck that helped me. Maybe all the questions were from my specialty. Maybe the other team leaders were feeling sick. Perhaps people just felt bad for me. Those ...